Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Song Haibo) news: "These paper-cuttings are inspired by Xinjiang-style songs and dances, featuring dancing girls depicted with numerous lines. This piece employs the technique of multi-colored paper-cutting to express the scenery of the Karamay Oilfield," said 86-year-old Liu Yisheng with great enthusiasm on November 9, 2024. He introduced a myriad of paper-cutting works on the wall created by him, depicting figures, landscapes, flowers, birds, and more, all colorful, layered, and full of charm. As a representative inheritor at the autonomous region level for paper-cutting, a representative item of the national intangible cultural heritage, Liu Yisheng has been inextricably linked to paper-cutting for 30 years.

Photo shows Liu Yisheng makes paper-cuttings at home. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Song Haibo)

In 1955, Liu Yisheng traveled from eastern China's Jiangsu Province to northwest China's Xinjiang to support the border region's development, taking a teaching position at a school in Shihezi City. By chance, he encountered and studied printmaking art, igniting his passion for art. "I remember my first attempt at printmaking was a depiction of the hydropower station of the Manas River. The work won a gold award at an art exhibition and was published in Xinjiang Daily. Many professional painters then encouraged me to continue studying art," Liu Yisheng recalled.

Despite his deep love for art, due to reasons such as job transfers later on, Liu Yisheng was unable to continue his in-depth studies of related artistic knowledge. However, he became fascinated with paper-cutting art after his retirement. "Paper-cutting is more common in the north and is mostly used for window decoration. With just a pair of scissors and a sheet of paper, various patterns can be created, but I prefer using an engraving knife," said Liu Yisheng.

Photo shows one of Liu Yisheng's works. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Song Haibo)

Knife-cutting is also a traditional method for creating paper-cutting works, and Liu Yisheng often uses the technique of multi-colored paper-cutting to enrich the colors of his works. "I usually sketch the design on paper first, then bind three to four sheets of paper of different colors together and lightly roll a pressing rod over each sheet to make them tightly adhere," Liu Yisheng explained while showing. When everything was ready, he picked up the carving knife and cut along the lines of the sketch. He held the knife handle with force concentrated in his fingertips, his wrist moving flexibly. As he carved, the tip of the knife remained perpendicular to the paper surface, with each application of force perfectly timed.

As the carving knife moves dexterously, the moment the blade gently touches the paper surface, the dance between the tip of the knife and the paper begins. "Paper-cutting is indeed a great test for the eyes, fortunately, I can still see the tip of the knife clearly," said Liu Yisheng as he gently blew away the paper scraps. His paper-cutting works cover a wide range of themes and styles, but when it comes to his favorite, it is undoubtedly the 1:1 replica paper-cutting work of the "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival," which took him a year and a half to complete.

Photo shows a part of the paper-cutting work of the "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival" by Liu Yisheng. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Song Haibo)

"I carved this piece little by little on a square table in my limited home space, and finally completed it through meticulously piecing together," Liu Yisheng explained. In his paper-cutting version of "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival," every person, every street, and every object is meticulously depicted. Currently, this work has been donated to the Cultural Center of Karamay City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Liu Yisheng previously often collaborated with members of the Karamay Paper-cutting Association to conduct training activities on paper-cutting skills in communities, primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and generously gifted paper-cutting works. Although he is now of advanced age and no longer conducts paper-cutting training activities, he still has many paper-cutting enthusiasts who follow and learn from him. Cai Jiangmei, a municipal-level inheritor of paper-cutting in Karamay, said, "Paper-cutting activities are frequently held in Karamay City, creating a strong atmosphere. Liu Yisheng is our predecessor with superb skills. His dedication to exploring traditional culture is worthy of our learning."

In 2023, Liu Yisheng was named the "Annual Figure of Xinjiang's Intangible Cultural Heritage," an honor that serves as motivation for him to continue moving forward. "As long as my eyes can still see and my hands can still move, I will keep cutting paper and let more people know about it," he said.

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